FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT ON CATTARAUGUS INDIAN RESERVATION

January 28, 2013- Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports that an early morning car crash on Erie Road on the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation has claimed the life of one man and left another in serious condition.

A call was received at 8:04 AM, reporting the crash, which occurred at the border of the Town of Brant. It was determined that a vehicle travelling westbound being driven by Donald Murray, age 76, of Angola, crossed into the eastbound lane, directly in front of an eastbound vehicle being driven by Steven Forthman, age 43, of Silver Creek. Mr. Forthman was unable to avoid striking Mr. Murray’s vehicle.

Mr. Murray was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Forthman was transported to Lakeshore Hospital, where he is being evaluated and treated for what appear to be non-life threatening injuries.

The accident remains under investigation, but all indications are that it was weather-related.

The investigation is being conducted by Sergeant Daniel Dytchkowskyj and Deputy Joseph Raczynski of the Sheriff’s Accident Investigation Unit.

Assisting at the scene were personnel from the Town of Brant Police Department, the Seneca Nation of Indians Marshal’s Office, and firefighters from the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, Brant and Farnham Fire Companies.